Page 64 of Urban Gladiator

“No matter what, Father, today is the last day of your rule. Even now, Bixby is getting the word out to all the clans in Avalon, making your treachery known. By nightfall, they will all be shouting for your head.”

“What?” my father roared, tossing his head back. It was the opening I needed. In his surprise, his hold on me slackened. It wasn’t much. But it was enough to let me flip him onto his back and reverse our positions.

I bit his shoulder, crushing bones and sinew with my father screaming. Even with our swift healing abilities, it would take time for it to mend. Too much time. I stared down at my father. And in his eyes, the realization struck that he had lost.

“This is for daring to touch my mate. Enjoy hell.” And using all my rage in my movements, I ripped his throat out.

Blood spurted in a wide spray, coating the ground and parts of my fur. I knew I looked barbaric, but I didn’t give a fuck. Spitting blood from my mouth, I left my father’s body bleeding out on the ground. I’d bitten clean through his neck. There was no coming back from an injury like that. His reign of terror was ended. I leapt up onto his box in the arena and shifted, uncaring that those in attendance were seeing my nude form.

I held up my arms to silence the crowd. “Citizens of Avalon. My father’s rule is ended for crimes he committed against my mate and against Avalon. Go home. I will address everyone later. But for now, I must see to my mate.”

I didn’t say before it was too late. She had to live.

I jumped from the dais and transformed into my wolf in mid-air. My paws were in motion and running before I hit the ground. My only thought was reaching Ember. The crowd moved out of my way. Even in their shock, they knew not to get between a wolf and his mate.

I reached the palace and my room in record time. But the moment I walked into my room, I knew. My heart tripped over in my chest.

Simon’s bowed head shot up. “Her heart’s still beating. But it’s slowing. We tried to stanch the flow, but I’m afraid she’s lost too much blood.”

I shook my head. “No. She has to live. I won’t allow her to die.”

“Then you’ve got to claim her. It’s the only thing that will save her. She needs your life force to heal her.”

“Leave us.” I barked, not paying attention to Simon as he left the room. I climbed into bed beside Ember, who had never looked as fragile as she did now.

Her pallor was ashen. Her eyes were closed. Leaning down, I murmured, “I’m not trying to trap you, love, but it’s the only way.”

I opened her thighs and moved between them as gently as possible. To claim my mate, we had to be joined in the physical sense when I bit her neck. And it would transfer part of my life force into her.

I did the best I could to prepare her sex with my fingers. But time was of the essence. And I would beg forgiveness later. Even if she hated me for trapping her, we would have centuries together. Enough time for me to earn her forgiveness.

28

Weak. I was so weak I couldn’t lift my eyes, but I felt him. I smelled him. Rowan. He’d saved me. I would cry if I had the energy. But he hadn’t betrayed me. And my heart swelled with love.

“I’m sorry, love. This will hurt a bit.” His voice sounded distant, even though I felt his presence above me.

Love. He called me love. Did that mean—oh my goddess!

I groaned. His shaft thrust inside me hilt deep and held still. My eyelids fluttered even as lust pooled in my sex. It burned because my body wasn’t prepared, but I liked it, liked knowing that the last thing I would feel before I died was him inside me.

Canines pierced my neck, and I screamed. But it came out raspy and weak.

So weak.

He bit down harder. I yelped, wanting to fight him off at the agony. It burned and ached, and I thought I would pass out from the pain.

But then, between one breath and the next, strength slowly returned to my limbs. A rush of adrenaline filled my body. The cuts closed painfully, making me wince, and my hands shoved at his chest, fighting off the pain.

Except the pain fled and was replaced by pleasure. Images of Rowan, from the time he was little up until this moment, flashed through my mind. I saw every one of his heartbreaks and his triumphs.

And deep within, I felt the connection between us being forged. It was immeasurable and unbreakable, extending past what I thought possible as it embedded itself in my bones, twined around my soul, and into the dark depths of my heart.

A vision jammed itself into my brain of the Maiden, Mother, and Crone as they smiled at me with pride in their eyes.

Oh goddess! He was my mate. It was undeniable. It was incredible. Love flowed freely through me. I’d never known a bond like this was possible. His emotions flooded me. I could feel his love. I could feel his need, his desire, his everything, and it took my breath away at its beauty. He had the most gorgeous soul, and I wanted to bask in its warmth. He completed me. Was the other part of myself that I hadn’t realized had been missing all along.

Shockingly, my arms found their strength again and moved to his muscular back. My eyelids fluttered open, and I breathed his name. “Rowan.”

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